The 'Country Bear Jamboree' Syndrome

This is the original “Magic Kingdom’ map from 1972 I believe. I found it in an old box of memories-and indeed the places we visited are all checked off-’Country Bear Jamboree’ being one of them. It measures 28'‘ by 25”. Can you imagine carrying that around the park with you! What a treasure!

There are many things I’ve carried with me since childhood – I imagine we all have. There are the things that we became by choice and others that were involuntarily absorbed by way of our environment. The affirmative things I have become due to osmosis include the places I find beauty, looking out for others, always trying my best, keeping my family close. However, the one thing that I wish I hadn’t carried with me all of these years is the run and rush of life-hurry up- get there first, be ready, fit it all in. I can’t say that this came from my mom - but my dad, who didn’t like to see any of us idle or taking our time. And though my external clock may appear slow and measured I run on an internal clock impacted by what I have come to call “the Country Bear Jamboree Syndrome.”

You might wonder where that diagnostic terminology came from. Well, it was from our family trip to Disney World! When it first opened my parents decided to drive the three youngest of us to visit this amazing place. The drive itself might fill another blog or two- no reservations anywhere-accidently driving into a rail yard in the middle of the night….

We made our way to the gates of this newly opened childhood utopia and into the glow of the Magic Kingdom. There was so much that these young sheltered eyes had never seen or experienced. When lining up outside the Country Bear Musical Jamboree looking forward to a foot-stomping good time in Grizzly Hall, my dad was so determined for us to have great seats that he scooted us in in an abrupt and abrasive way. If I remember rightly, it brought my sister to tears and suffocated any joy offered by the music, and laughter of these charming singing bears in this incredible setting. It’s funny how something so seemingly trite altered my experience and remained with me for more than 50 years. Not everyone is meant to grow a thicker skin.

Life with dad wasn’t always that way and perhaps that is why this one lucid moment remains knotted within me. Yet, his way of living life reset my internal clock to one that says ‘hurry up’ ‘can’t I peel that carrot faster’, can’t I do more in a day, an hour, a minute. No matter how quickly I work that inner Country Bear Jamboree voice is always judging.

When I get adventurous and drive to Riverhead with my sister-and she is in the passenger seat- and we stop at a store in this shopping mecca -my hope is that she has her shoes on, her hair combed- her pocketbook on her shoulder, her phone charged and her hand on the door lever the second we land. That is what I now refer to as my ‘Country Bear Jamboree Syndrome.” Don’t waste time-keep moving forward. But of course, she doesn’t and I would never say anything that would bring her to tears-I just stand outside the door, holding the keys, tapping my foot and trying to look as if I am waiting somewhat patiently to lock it - as best I can anyway. If I didn’t have to lock the car door I would probably have already been in the store, maybe even in the check-out line. I ponder this syndrome and why it is such a part of me. Believe me, I am working on it all the time.

It seems that many people are moving to places where life can be enjoyed at a slower pace and haste and the upward climb have thankfully been downgraded from the pinnacle of our existence to something we need to keep in check.

Once I told my friend this and she asked me-‘why do you have to do things fast? Why does it matter?’ And now I hear her voice- when I am trying to fit two hours into one -and a week into a day- I hear her voice-when I’m up reorganizing my sock drawer rather than reading a book-I hear her voice when I’m vacuuming my car rather than sitting on the beach- and I realize that life does not require a speedometer or an odometer – take my time and enjoy making that cornbread or chicken soup-why rush? Things are often enjoyed much more at a slower pace with mindfulness and grace. So now that has become my new mantra and practice and maybe now it’s time for me to get back to Disney World to see that Jamboree!